AC Milan defender spotted at airport ahead of finalising Newcastle United academy move

AC Milan defender Cathal Heffernan is flying to Tyneside to finalise his move to Newcastle United.

It was first reported by Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio last week that Heffernan had been offered a contract by the Magpies after the Irishman appeared in under-21s friendlies against EFL clubs Carlisle United and Barrow last month.

After briefly returning to his homeland, the 18-year-old is now back en route to the North East, as per the player’s father Rob Heffernan - a former Irish race walker world champion - who posted a photo of his son boarding a RyanAir flight to Newcastle at Dublin Airport with the caption “big day ahead!”.

Heffernan joined Milan from League of Ireland outfit Cork City in February 2022 on an initial loan deal before the move was made permanent the following summer. He has appeared 41 times for the under-18s and represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

Speaking earlier this year on Sky Sports, Heffernan said: “If Brexit hadn’t happened, I probably could be in England right now.

“I think it’s a massive disadvantage for England, they’re going to have to figure out a way to counteract it in the future or they’ll end up paying the price. The way it is, European clubs are just going to start taking over by getting the best players from all around Europe.

“I could be in England right now, I’m not saying I would be in England but it would be a good bit of the way there.

“I’d been on a couple of trials in Italy as well and thankfully I landed this one in Milan, it changed my life so I’m kind of happy it happened in a way, but it would have been nice to go to England as well.”

Heffernan is expected to link up with fellow countryman Alex Murphy in the under-21s squad.